December weather forecast
Rochester, MN

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The cityscape of Rochester, Minnesota, with a beautiful city park surrounded by water
The cityscape of Rochester, Minnesota, with a beautiful city park surrounded by water

Weather in December

December brings the full swing of winter to Rochester, Minnesota, with plummeting temperatures and widespread snow covering the city. With a stable shift into colder weather, December concludes the transformation from fall to winter. The start to end of the year is also marked by the shortest daylight hours, with the city only receiving around nine hours of daylight. December's weather provides an idyllic white Christmas landscape, with festive lights reflecting beautifully off the snow.

Temperature

Rochester's transition into December is marked by a distinct drop in the average high-temperature, reducing from a wintry 41°F (5°C) in November to a subzero cold 26.2°F (-3.2°C). Rochester observes an average nighttime temperature of 15.8°F (-9°C) during December.

Humidity

The average relative humidity in December in Rochester is 88%.

Rainfall

In Rochester, in December, it is raining for 3.6 days, with typically 0.71" (18mm) of accumulated precipitation. Throughout the year, there are 109.7 rainfall days, and 16.57" (421mm) of precipitation is accumulated.

Snowfall

Months with snowfall are January through May, October through December. In December, in Rochester, it is snowing for 12 days. Throughout December, 1.81" (46mm) of snow is accumulated. Throughout the year, there are 55.2 snowfall days, and 14.09" (358mm) of snow is accumulated.

Daylight

With an average of 9h and 0min of daylight, December has the shortest days of the year.
On the first day of December, sunrise is at 7:25 am and sunset at 4:33 pm. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 7:44 am and sunset at 4:41 pm CST.

Sunshine

The average sunshine in December is 3.7h.

UV index

January, February, November and December, with an average maximum UV index of 1, are months with the lowest UV index. A UV Index value of 2, and less, symbolizes a low threat to health from exposure to the Sun's UV rays for the average person.
Note: In December, a daily maximum UV index of 1 leads to the following instructions:
Extended sunlight exposure does not pose significant problems for most people, except for children, infants, and people with fair skin who always need shielding. The most potent solar radiation is around mid-day, so one should minimize exposure to direct sunlight during this period. Wearing a wide-brim hat can block approximately 50% of UV radiation, protecting the eyes. Forewarned is forearmed! The Sun's UV radiation can be almost doubled in intensity by snow reflection.
Updated: Feb 12, 2024
Published by: Weather U.S. | About Us
Data Sources | Weather Forecasting & Climate

Frequently asked questions

How cold is it in Rochester in December?

During December, Rochester experiences an average high-temperature of 26.2°F (-3.2°C) and a low-temperature of 15.8°F (-9°C).

What is the average humidity in December in Rochester?

In December, the average relative humidity in Rochester, Minnesota, is 88%.

How much does it rain in Rochester in December?

In Rochester, in December, during 3.6 rainfall days, 0.71" (18mm) of precipitation is typically accumulated.

How many days does it snow in December in Rochester?

In December, in Rochester, it is snowing for 12 days. Throughout December, 1.81" (46mm) of snow is accumulated.

What is the month with the shortest days in Rochester?

The month with the shortest days in Rochester is December, with an average of 9h and 0min of daylight.

How many hours of daylight does Rochester have in December?

The average day length in December in Rochester, Minnesota, is 8h and 58min.

What time are sunrise and sunset in December in Rochester?

In December, on the first day of the month, sunrise is at 7:25 am and sunset at 4:33 pm. On the last day of the month, in Rochester, sunrise is at 7:44 am and sunset at 4:41 pm CST.

How many hours of sunshine does Rochester have in December?

The average sunshine duration in December is 3.7h.

What are the months with the lowest UV index in Rochester?

The months with the lowest UV index are January, February, November and December, with an average maximum UV index of 1.

How high is the UV index in December in Rochester?

In Rochester, the average daily maximum UV index in December is 1. A UV Index value of 2, and less, symbolizes a minimal hazard to health from unsafe exposure to Sun's UV rays.
Average humidity
Average rainfall days
Average snowfall days
Average daylight
Average sunshine
Average sunshine days
Average UV index
Average cloud cover
Average visibility

Average temperature in December
Rochester, MN

Average temperature in December - Rochester, MN
  • Average high temperature in December: 26.2°F

The warmest month (with the highest average high temperature) is July (78.6°F).
The month with the lowest average high temperature is January (20.7°F).

  • Average low temperature in December: 15.8°F

The month with the highest average low temperature is July (61.7°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average low temperature) is January (7.7°F).

Average pressure in December
Rochester, MN

Average pressure in December - Rochester, MN
  • Average pressure in December: 30.11"Hg

The month with the highest atmospheric pressure is January (30.14"Hg).
The month with the lowest atmospheric pressure is June (29.88"Hg).

Average wind speed in December
Rochester, MN

Average wind speed in December - Rochester, MN
  • Average wind speed in December: 10.1mph

The windiest month (with the highest average wind speed) is January (10.6mph).
The calmest months (with the lowest average wind speed) are July and August (7.5mph).

Average humidity in December
Rochester, MN

Average humidity in December - Rochester, MN
  • Average humidity in December: 88%

The month with the highest relative humidity is January (91%).
The month with the lowest relative humidity is October (74%).

Average rainfall in December
Rochester, MN

Average rainfall in December - Rochester, MN
  • Average rainfall in December: 0.71"

The wettest month (with the highest rainfall) is June (3.11").
The driest month (with the least rainfall) is January (0.47").

Average rainfall days in December
Rochester, MN

Average rainfall days in December - Rochester, MN
  • Average rainfall days in December: 3.6 days

The month with the highest number of rainy days is June (15.3 days).
The month with the least rainy days is February (2.3 days).

Average snowfall in December
Rochester, MN

Average snowfall in December - Rochester, MN
  • Average snowfall in December: 1.81"

The month with the highest snowfall is February (4.09").
The months with the least snowfall are June, July, August and September (0").

Average snowfall days in December
Rochester, MN

Average snowfall days in December - Rochester, MN
  • Average snowfall days in December: 12 days

The month with the highest number of snowfall days is January (12.8 days).
The months with the least snowfall days are June, July, August and September (0 days).

Average daylight in December /
Average sunshine in December
Rochester, MN

Average daylight in December / Average sunshine in December - Rochester, MN
  • Average daylight in December: 9h and 0min

The month with the longest days is June (Average daylight: 15h and 24min).
The month with the shortest days is December (Average daylight: 9h and 0min).

  • Average sunshine in December: 3h and 4min

The month with the most sunshine is July (Average sunshine: 9h and 42min).
The month with the least sunshine is January (Average sunshine: 3h and 12min).

Average sunshine days in December
Rochester, MN

Average sunshine days in December - Rochester, MN
  • Average sunshine days in December: 17.4 days

The month with the most sunshine days is November (18.9 days).
The month with the least sunshine days is June (11.2 days).

Average UV index in December
Rochester, MN

Average UV index in December - Rochester, MN
  • Average UV index in December: 1

The month with the highest UV index is July (UV index 6).
The months with the lowest UV index are January, February, November and December (UV index 1).

Average cloud cover in December
Rochester, MN

Average cloud cover in December - Rochester, MN
  • Average cloud cover in December: 63

The month with the most cloud cover is January (Cloud cover 67).
The month with the least cloud cover is August (Cloud cover 32).

Average visibility in December
Rochester, MN

Average visibility in December - Rochester, MN
  • Average visibility in December: 5mi

The months with the highest visibility are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November (6mi).
The months with the lowest visibility are January, February and December (5mi).

Rochester, Minnesota, USA

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